Spain is once again facing severe weather conditions as Storm Marta sweeps across the country, bringing persistent rainfall, strong wind gusts, high seas and snowfall at mid-altitudes. The situation is particularly concerning as soils across much of the country are already fully saturated after weeks of intense rainfall.
Spain Press Editorial Team
According to Spain’s national weather agency, Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), orange-level weather warnings are currently in force in five autonomous communities: Andalusia, Castile and León, Galicia, the Region of Murcia and the Valencian Community. The most affected areas are those experiencing prolonged heavy rain, strong winds and hazardous sea conditions along the coast.
Andalusia at the centre of the storm
Andalusia is currently bearing the brunt of the storm. In the provinces of Málaga, Granada and Cádiz, significant disruptions to drinking water supplies have been reported, while across the region a total of 85 roads have been closed due to flooding, landslides and heavy mud deposits.
In towns such as Huétor Tájar, in the province of Granada, numerous residents were forced to spend the night pumping water out of homes, garages and commercial premises after exceptionally high volumes of rain fell within a very short period.
Drinking water generated from the air
In response to the water supply crisis, the Andalusian regional government has activated mobile drinking water generators that extract potable water from atmospheric humidity. These devices, based on Andalusian-developed technology, are currently operating in San Martín del Tesorillo (Cádiz) and the El Secadero area (Málaga), providing an emergency solution to guarantee basic water supplies for the population.
Grazalema fully evacuated – Guadalquivir on alert
Special concern surrounds the town of Grazalema, which has been completely evacuated due to extreme rainfall. Up to 600 litres of rain per square metre were recorded within just 24 hours. Authorities ordered the evacuation as a precautionary measure after soils and groundwater became fully saturated, accompanied by unusual underground noises and vibrations.
The situation also remains tense in Córdoba, where the Guadalquivir river has risen above 5.5 metres, well beyond the threshold for a red-level flood alert. The historic Puente Romano has been closed as a precaution, and authorities warn that the river may not yet have reached its peak level.
Warnings extend to other regions
The impact of Storm Marta is not limited to southern Spain. In Extremadura, an orange warning has also been issued for the north of the province of Cáceres, with rainfall totals of up to 80 litres per square metre expected within twelve hours. In Castile and León, several provinces remain under alerts for snow and rain. In the Community of Madrid, snowfall is possible at mid-altitudes from around 900 metres.
The President of the Andalusian regional government, Juanma Moreno, urged caution and stressed that the worst may not yet be over:
“This weather event is not finished. We are facing further difficult days with intense rainfall ahead.”
A storm system set to continue
Storm Marta is moving from south-west to north-east and is expected to continue bringing heavy rainfall over the coming hours to western Spain, the southern Meseta and the area around the Strait of Gibraltar. Authorities are advising residents to avoid non-essential travel, stay away from flood-prone areas and closely follow official weather warnings and safety guidance.
